Psalms 78:47

KJV

He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

KJV (with Strong's)

He destroyed {H2026}{H8799)} their vines {H1612} with hail {H1259}, and their sycomore trees {H8256} with frost {H2602}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He destroyed their vineyards with hail and their sycamore-figs with frost.

Berean Standard Bible

He killed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore-figs with sleet.

American Standard Version

He destroyed their vines with hail, And their sycomore-trees with frost.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 78:47 recounts a specific detail of God's judgment against Egypt during the Exodus plagues, highlighting His absolute sovereignty over creation. It describes how God, in His mighty power, supernaturally destroyed the Egyptians' vital agricultural resources—their vines and sycomore trees—through the devastating forces of hail and an unnatural, destructive frost. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine intervention in history, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to deliver His people and execute righteous judgment upon those who oppose His will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a sweeping didactic psalm, often attributed to Asaph, designed to instruct future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's recurring unfaithfulness throughout their history. It functions as a historical recounting, drawing lessons from past events, particularly the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. Verses 43-51 specifically detail the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's power and His commitment to His covenant people. This particular verse, along with others in this section, vividly recalls the specific judgments God brought upon Pharaoh and Egypt, emphasizing the supernatural nature of these events as acts of divine will, not mere natural occurrences. The psalmist meticulously lists the plagues to underscore God's active involvement in securing Israel's liberation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt, a land renowned for its agricultural fertility, dependent on the Nile River and its predictable seasons. Vines (grapes) and sycomore trees (Ficus sycomorus) were crucial to the Egyptian economy and daily life. Grapes were used for wine and food, while sycomores provided fruit, timber, and shade, being particularly resilient trees. The plagues were not random acts of destruction but targeted judgments, often striking at the heart of Egyptian life and even their pantheon of gods. The plague of hail (Exodus 9:13-35) was exceptionally severe, described as "very grievous," destroying crops and trees. The mention of "frost" alongside hail for sycomore trees suggests an unnatural, perhaps unprecedented, cold snap or a particularly destructive form of frozen precipitation, further emphasizing the supernatural nature of the judgment, as frost was uncommon and highly damaging in Egypt's climate.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 78:47 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Power and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control over natural phenomena. He is not merely a distant observer but an active participant in history, capable of wielding elements like [hail and frost](/exodus/9-23 "Exodus 9:23 - The Plague of Hail") as instruments of judgment against His adversaries. This specific destruction of resilient agricultural resources highlights the severity and targeted nature of the plagues, impacting vital aspects of Egyptian life. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Sovereignty Over Nature**, illustrating that the Lord is the ultimate ruler of creation. Neither the destructive hail nor the unnatural frost was random; they were precisely orchestrated by God to demonstrate His power and break the will of the Egyptians, echoing themes found in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Challenge to Job") where God asserts His control over creation. Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Opposition to God**. The plagues were a direct consequence of Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to let Israel go, as detailed in [Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7 - The First Plague"). This verse illustrates that resistance to God's will brings devastating repercussions, not only for the oppressor but also for their land and resources.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hail (Hebrew, בָּרָד _barad_):** This word consistently refers to frozen precipitation throughout the Old Testament and is frequently associated with divine judgment. In the context of the Exodus plague (Exodus 9), _barad_ describes a devastating storm of ice, often accompanied by thunder and lightning, that destroyed crops, trees, and livestock. Its use here emphasizes the direct, physical, and destructive power of God unleashed upon Egypt.
* **Frost (Hebrew, חֲנָמָל _chanamal_):** This is a rare and somewhat debated word in Hebrew scripture. While often translated as "frost" or "destructive cold," its precise meaning can also imply a particularly severe form of hailstorm that brought an unnatural, chilling devastation, or a blight caused by extreme cold. The pairing with "hail" and its impact on resilient sycomore trees suggests an unusual and comprehensive destruction, going beyond typical natural phenomena, thereby highlighting the miraculous and punitive nature of the plague.
* **Vines (Hebrew, גֶּפֶן _gephen_):** Refers to grapevines, a significant agricultural crop in ancient Egypt, providing fruit for food and wine. Their destruction represented a major economic and dietary loss.
* **Sycomore trees (Hebrew, שִׁקְמָה _shiqmah_):** The _Ficus sycomorus_ was an economically important tree in Egypt, providing edible fruit, timber for construction and furniture, and shade. It was known for its resilience and longevity. The destruction of such sturdy trees by hail and "frost" underscores the extraordinary severity and supernatural nature of the judgment, as these trees were not easily damaged by typical weather.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He destroyed their vines with hail":** This clause directly attributes the destructive power to God ("He"), emphasizing His active agency in the plague. The "vines" represent a crucial agricultural asset, and their destruction by "hail" signifies a direct and severe blow to Egypt's food supply and economy, fulfilling God's promise of judgment.
* **"and their sycomore trees with frost":** This parallel clause further elaborates on the extent of the destruction. The mention of "sycomore trees," known for their hardiness, and their destruction by "frost" (or an unusually severe cold/hail) highlights the comprehensive and unnatural nature of the judgment. It implies a level of devastation that went beyond what was typical for the climate, demonstrating God's complete control over the elements and His ability to inflict specific, targeted, and total ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:47 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. The most prominent is **Divine Agency**, where God is explicitly portrayed as the active subject ("He destroyed"), emphasizing His direct and intentional involvement in the events. This underscores His sovereignty and power. **Parallelism** is also evident in the structure of the verse, with two clauses describing similar destructive actions ("destroyed their vines with hail" and "their sycomore trees with frost"), which amplifies the sense of comprehensive ruin. The specific mention of "vines" and "sycomore trees" serves as **Metonymy**, where these vital agricultural products stand in for the entire Egyptian economy and livelihood, making the impact of the judgment more tangible. Furthermore, the description of "frost" impacting sycomore trees in Egypt suggests a form of **Hyperbole** or **Supernatural Intervention**, as such an event would be highly unusual and devastating, thus emphasizing the extraordinary nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 78:47 offers profound theological insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity. It vividly portrays God as a sovereign ruler who exercises absolute control over creation, wielding natural forces as instruments of His divine will. This demonstration of power is not arbitrary but serves His redemptive purposes, specifically the liberation of His people and the execution of righteous judgment against oppression. The destruction of Egypt's agricultural backbone underscores the seriousness of defying God and the comprehensive nature of His wrath. Yet, even in judgment, there is a clear purpose: to reveal His glory, vindicate His name, and secure the freedom of those He has chosen. This divine power, though terrifying to His enemies, is a source of comfort and assurance for His people, reminding them that their deliverer is mighty and able to overcome any obstacle.

* [Exodus 9:23-26](/exodus/9-23 "Exodus 9:23-26 - The Plague of Hail Detailed") - This passage provides the primary historical account of the plague of hail, detailing its severity and the destruction it wrought upon Egypt's crops, trees, and livestock, confirming the psalmist's recollection.
* [Psalm 105:32-33](/psalms/105-32 "Psalm 105:32-33 - God's Judgment on Egypt Recalled") - Another historical psalm that recounts the Exodus events, specifically mentioning the hail and "flaming fire" that destroyed "vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts," corroborating the widespread agricultural devastation.
* [Job 38:22-23](/job/38-22 "Job 38:22-23 - God's Control Over Hail") - In God's discourse with Job, He questions Job's knowledge of the "treasures of the snow" and "treasures of the hail," which God has "reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war," affirming His pre-existence and control over these elements as instruments of judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 78:47, though describing a historical judgment, carries timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is not a distant, passive deity but an active, sovereign Lord who intervenes in human affairs. For those who trust in Him, this verse offers immense comfort: the same God who powerfully delivered Israel from the mightiest empire of their day continues to be sovereign over all circumstances, including the seemingly chaotic forces of nature and the oppressive systems of the world. We are encouraged to place our trust in His unfailing power and wisdom, knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him. Conversely, for those who resist God's will and oppress others, this verse serves as a solemn warning: defiance against the Almighty brings severe and unavoidable consequences. It calls us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we are aligned with God's purposes of justice, righteousness, and compassion, rather than resisting His authority. Ultimately, it invites us to worship a God whose power is limitless and whose justice is perfect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over natural elements, as depicted in this verse, impact your trust in Him during times of personal or global crisis?**
* **In what ways might we, like Pharaoh, subtly or overtly resist God's will in our lives today, and what might be the consequences of such resistance?**
* **How does the specific, targeted nature of God's judgment in this verse inform your understanding of divine justice?**

### FAQ
**Why are specific trees like vines and sycomore trees mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of vines and sycomore trees is highly significant because they were vital agricultural and economic resources in ancient Egypt. Grapes from vines were used for food and wine, while sycomore trees provided fruit, timber, and shade, being particularly resilient and common. By specifying these, the psalmist emphasizes the comprehensive and targeted nature of God's judgment during the plague of hail (as detailed in [Exodus 9:23-26](/exodus/9-23 "Exodus 9:23-26 - The Plague of Hail")). It shows that the destruction was not random but struck at the very heart of Egypt's prosperity and ability to sustain itself, demonstrating God's power to dismantle their entire system of life and expose the impotence of their gods.

**Does God still use natural disasters like hail and frost as judgment today?**

Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign over all creation and can use natural phenomena for His purposes, including judgment (as seen in [Job 38:22-23](/job/38-22 "Job 38:22-23 - God's Control Over Hail")). While we cannot definitively label every natural disaster as a specific divine judgment against a particular sin or group, the biblical narrative consistently portrays God's ultimate control. The New Testament also speaks of future judgments involving natural elements (e.g., [Revelation 16:21](/revelation/16-21 "Revelation 16:21 - Great Hail in the End Times")). However, it's crucial to avoid simplistic interpretations that blame victims or assume direct correlation between specific sins and specific disasters. Instead, we understand that all creation groans under the weight of sin (as described in [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), and natural disasters can serve as reminders of humanity's fallen state, God's ultimate authority, and the need for repentance and reliance on Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 78:47, recounting God's sovereign judgment through natural forces, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament plagues demonstrated God's power over creation to deliver Israel from physical bondage, Christ's work reveals God's power over sin and death to deliver humanity from spiritual bondage. The same God who commanded hail and frost to destroy Egypt's livelihood is the God who, in Christ, holds all creation together (as affirmed in [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Upholds All Things")). Jesus Himself demonstrated absolute authority over nature, calming storms with a word (as seen in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking on water, proving His divine identity as the very Lord who orchestrated the plagues. Furthermore, the judgment against Egypt's agricultural resources foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin, which was borne by Christ on the cross. He became the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the full wrath of God so that humanity might be spared. Thus, the destructive power of God's judgment, so vividly displayed in Psalm 78:47, is ultimately channeled through the redemptive work of Christ, offering salvation and reconciliation to all who believe, while also affirming His future role as the righteous judge who will bring about a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 105:32

He gave them hail for rain, [and] flaming fire in their land.

Psalms 105:33

He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

Exodus 9:18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

Exodus 9:34

And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.